Boston Red Sox: 5 More Prospects Worth Getting Excited About

I wrote the first article, "Boston Red Sox: 5 Prospects Worth Getting Excited About" five days ago, and in the comments section, many readers asked about why several players were left off the list.

In response, I have decided to create an additional list to get an even better idea of what the talent is like in the Red Sox farm system.

If any of these guys can be as good as Josh Reddick has been for Boston in his short time with the team, then we definitely have a lot to be excited about.

Xander Bogaerts

If I had made my previous article about six prospects instead of five, Xander Bogaerts would have undoubtedly been the sixth prospect on the list.

Bogaerts is an 18-year-old shortstop who is currently playing for Boston's Intermediate Class-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive. In his second year with the organization, he has only batted .250, but his most impressive feature thus far has been his power.

Bogaerts has hit 12 home runs in 63 games this season which is more than impressive for an 18-year-old shortstop. It is rare to see a shortstop with power in baseball these days, and should Jed Lowrie and Jose Iglesias both bust, Bogaerts could be the answer in the coming years.

Brandon Jacobs

Brandon Jacobs has had a breakout 2011 season with the Greenville Drive.

The 20-year-old who was once a football commit to Auburn University has batted .311 with 16 home runs and 72 RBI in 108 games this season. He has also shown his speed, stealing 29 bases this season alone.

The outfielder will have to work on his fielding, but his high power ceiling is very exciting to think about.

Right now, he wouldn't have a place in the Red Sox organization, but looking a few years down the road when he is ready, Jacobs could have a significant impact with the team as either an OF or a DH.

Garin Cecchini

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, Garin Cecchini is enjoying his first full year with the organization. He has played for Boston's Low Single-A affiliate at third base, and he has the makings of a great swing.

Cecchini hit the DL on July 23 with a broken wrist and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, but in the 38 games that he did play, he batted .298 with a .398 OBP. Good numbers for any first year minor leaguer. 

The 20-year-old also played shortstop in high school, so if the Sox have any openings at short or third in three to five years, the spot could be his for the taking unless this next guy... 

Kolbrin Vitek

...has something to say about it.

Another third-base prospect, Kolbrin Vitek was taken with Boston's first-round pick in last year's draft, three rounds ahead of Cecchini.

Vitek is 22 years old and has a fantastic swing, batting for .282 with a .348 OBP this season with High Single-A affiliate Salem, but his defensive side of the game needs work. 

Fortunately, Vitek looks like he could play both the outfield or the infield, and with a bat as solid as his, he is certainly a prospect worth looking forward to seeing in the next few years.

Alex Wilson

Finally, a pitching prospect.

Alex Wilson, a starting pitcher who was taken as a second rounder in 2009, is the most MLB ready player of the ones that I have listed in this article.

Wilson was just called up to Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket along with teammate Will Middlebrooks, and he has had a very good 2011 season.

In 21 starts with Double-A Portland, Wilson went 9-4 with a 3.05 ERA which included 99 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched.

His fastball gets to the mid-90s, and he could be seen in a relief or starting role with Boston as early as next year, but his numbers show that he could fill out either the bullpen or the starting rotation of the Sox with a very solid arm.

Conclusion

I would have loved to put Ryan Kalish, Jose Iglesias or Ryan Lavarnway in either of these articles, but Red Sox fans should generally be excited about them already considering how they have all been seen in a Boston uniform over the past year.

These five guys may not all be seen in the majors for some time, but I do believe that they will have an impact for the Sox in one way or another, and we should all be excited for their future arrival.

In the meantime, enjoy Kalish's grand slam from August of last season!